News & Updates

County Executive Daniel P. McCoy Delivers his 2018 State of the County Address

1/25/2018 6:20:00 PM

In State of County Address, County Executive McCoy Reviews Accomplishments and Highlights New Initiatives for the Coming Year

Albany County Executive Daniel P. McCoy today delivered his 2018 State of the County address to the County Legislature, where he outlined the significant progress the county has made to further stabilize county finances, to provide a safety net for vulnerable county residents, bring people together, implementing strategies to battle poverty and working to battle the crisis of opiate addiction.

For the first time, County Executive McCoy delivered his annual State of the County from the newly renovated Times Union Center Atrium. He noted the purpose of this venue is very similar to that of county government: to bring people together and make a positive difference in the lives of the residents of Albany County.

"Tonight I can say, without reservation, that the state of our county is strong and that working together we will make it even stronger, more inclusive and more equitable. It is our mission and it is my commitment. The commitment to make a positive difference in the lives of residents of Albany County," said County Executive McCoy.

Highlights of the speech include a new Executive Order and draft legislation from the County Executive stating that no settlement agreement entered into by the County in employment related cases involving harassment or discrimination will contain a nondisclosure provision.

"All across the county we have seen far too many cases of harassment cases being covered up with financial payoffs. In Albany County, no one position has seniority or power over another, and thus they should not receive any such protections. We will continue to protect victims who wish to maintain their privacy, while taking a no tolerance stance on harassment," said McCoy.

County Executive McCoy also spoke about draft legislation he submitted to ensure that all workers in Albany County have the right to earn paid sick leave. With the startling statistic that 40% of workers in Albany lack any paid sick leave, McCoy has taken action to create a healthier workplace for co-workers and customers, reduce healthcare costs, and increase workplace productivity.

In 2018, County Executive McCoy plans to shine an additional focus on supporting the most vulnerable in our population by:

Continuing to support DACA and give a voice to those who want to be heard on immigration and who seek a pathway to citizenship

Establishing a task force with the Department of Children,Youth & Families to focus on the issue of children in foster care

Beginning a new initiative with the Department of Social Services called Bridges out of Poverty, that will address the effects of poverty at the individual, institutional and community level